Latest News

Are you thinking of downsizing?

There are many reasons for downsizing. Traditionally the children have all flown the nest and had families of their own but you still have the family home they grew up in. However, recently downsizing has become more common for a wide cross-section of people.

A few things to take into consideration when deciding if downsizing is for you.

- how long do you spend cleaning the bedrooms and bathrooms that are only occasionally used? The dust still gathers, whether the rooms are used or not. Is it worth it?

- how much are you paying to heat and tax a house that is only half lived in? A smaller house will be cheaper to run, and most likely retain the heat better.

- how much money is tied up in your home? By downsizing you could release capital, enabling you to go on those 'once in a lifetime' holidays or just generally improve your quality of life.

Our residential valuers will be more than happy to come and visit you and discuss the market value of your property, to help you make the right choice. Our friendly team can help ascertain what properties are available in your price range, but still offer the accommodation you need.

It will always be a big decision to make, but hopefully we can help make it easier, whatever your reasons for moving.

For a free market appraisal or to arrange viewings on any property contact your local office or visit our website by clicking here

If you have made the decision already and the time has come to start downsizing your belongings Readers Digest provides some useful information to help make it easier!

"Whittling down a lifetime’s worth of belongings for a move into a smaller home can be a difficult and emotional task. How can you decide what to keep and what to toss? Here are some things you can do to make the process easier:

Get an early start
If you wait until you’ve signed a contract on your new home, you’ll end up getting overwhelmed and tossing everything into boxes to take with you. So start going through your belongings as soon as you decide to move.

Work in concentric circlesStart in the rooms farthest from the heart of the home, such as the attic, basement, and storage rooms. That’s where there are more items that are simply being stored rather than used. Then move into the bedrooms, family room, and kitchen. Pack as you go through these rooms, and make separate piles of items you plan to sell, donate, and give to friends or relatives. Then get those items out of your home right away, so you won’t change your mind.

Involve your familyItems hold different meanings for various family members. You don’t want to save and store that box of toys from your daughter’s childhood only to find out later she doesn’t want them. You also don’t want to toss your son’s old baseball gear if it holds great sentimental value to him.

Ask yourself questionsIf you’re unsure about whether to keep an item, ask yourself when was the last time you used it, how often you use it, what purpose it serves, what shape it is in, etc.

Envision your new homeDetermine which pieces of furniture and other large items will fit in the new space, then sell or give away what you won’t have room for. Storing these large items in a monthly storage facility is costly. Items that were custom-made or specially purchased for your old space also may not transition well to your new place.

Determine the costWeigh the price you can get for selling an item against the cost of moving it. It may be better to buy something more suited to your new home with the money earned from a sale.

Consider contextIf you’re selling everything else a particular item fits in with, you might want to let it go. For example, if you’re saying goodbye to the couch, it might be time to part with the matching love seat.

Be kind to yourselfYou don’t have to get rid of everything you hold dear. If you’re really attached to an item and it would break your heart to let it go, keep it!